Job vacancy

Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Earth Sciences

You will teach subsurface geological investigation, interpretation, and modelling across the BSc Earth Sciences and MSc GeoEnergy programmes.

Job details

College

College of Science and Engineering

Responsible to

Head of Discipline - Environmental Sciences

Location

Kedleston Road, Derby Campus

Salary

£37,999 to £55,295 per annum

Job grade

HE Lecturer/Senior Lecturer

Closing date

Monday 4 November 2024

Contract type

Permanent

Post type

Full-time

Adaptive working type

Hybrid
This role will be based on site, primarily in the named location with the opportunity to work remotely available in line with our Adaptive Working Framework.

Reference

0272-24

We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.

The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.

We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.

Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.

The Discipline of Environmental Sciences in the College of Science and Engineering, incorporates Earth Sciences, GeoEnergy, Biological Sciences and Environmental Science and Sustainability. We work with colleagues across the College and University, including Mineral Products, Engineering, Computing, Maths and Business, particularly aligning to the University’s Research themes of Zero Carbon and Data Science.

The new BSc Hons in Earth Sciences and our MSc in GeoEnergy build on a 130-year pedigree of geoscience provision at Derby. This is reflected in our high impact international research, collaboration with external companies and recognised excellence in teaching and learning. We are a future-focused and collaborative department, working together to make a significant positive impact for our world.

The successful candidate will teach subsurface geological investigation, interpretation, and modelling across the BSc Earth Sciences and MSc GeoEnergy programmes. You will supervise student projects from across the discipline at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. 

As a member of the Environmental Sciences team, you will also contribute to developing our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, keeping the curriculum authentic, applied and future focussed, and ensuring an exceptional student experience. Industry engagement and/or research activity are part of the role, and you may be responsible for projects and managing other researchers where appropriate. Graduate outcomes are a particular focus for us, so skills in enhancing student employability are welcomed. Academic staff are allocated personal tutees, providing subject and professional development support to students on our programmes.

This is a predominantly teaching role, and we are looking for someone with excellent teaching skills, to nurture enthusiasm and engagement in students and to support them in developing their independent scholarship, applying knowledge and self-efficacy. If you do not already have Fellowship of the HEA, we would expect commitment to work towards this upon appointment.

From a subject point of view we are seeking a candidate with applied industry-related experience of static and dynamic subsurface modelling of traditional and non-traditional geoenergy systems. Expertise and practical experience in subsurface facies modelling utilising industry-standard reservoir modelling software is essential. Applied experience of GIS, geophysics, and a background including fieldwork are desirable. 

Learning / Teaching

  1. Effectively teach and facilitate learning on a range of subjects / modules within the subject area on undergraduate, postgraduate, professional and post-experience programmes.
  2. Ensure that knowledge from research and scholarly activities informs and enhances learning and teaching, as well as extending it to appropriate external activities such as knowledge transfer activities.
  3. Ensure that module / programme design and delivery comply with the quality standards and regulations of the University.
  4. Participate effectively in the assessment process, including the setting, marking and moderation of student work, providing constructive feedback and ensuring it is in accordance with quality assurance procedures.
  5. Participate in the continuing review and development of module/programme delivery, incorporating innovative study modes, learning environments and pedagogic practices to engage and stimulate students, deliver effective learning outcomes and develop the skills and attributes of the ‘Derby Graduate’.
  6. Take on relevant module leader and/or programme leader responsibilities, including associated marketing, recruitment, delivery and ongoing programme development activities

Research / Knowledge Exchange

  1. Engage in individual research and collaborate both internally and externally on research projects that are consistent with the College, and contribute to influencing leading edge practice in the University and contribution to the REF.
  2. Sustain and enhance the reputation of the University by publishing in appropriate quality journals and presenting at scholarly activities such as workshops, conferences and other similar events.
  3. Develop and maintain contacts and relationship with relevant professional, research and industrial organisations.
  4. Contribute to writing bids for externally funded research projects.

Other

  1. Act as a personal tutor, supporting and mentoring students as appropriate.
  2. Provide pastoral care to students, referring when necessary to services that provide further support.
  3. Support marketing and student recruitment activities as required.
  4. Develop external links in order, for example, to support student recruitment, secure student placements, facilitate outreach work, generate income or build relationships for future activities.
  5. Be responsible for administrative duties in areas such as admissions, timetabling, examinations and assessment of progress and student attendance.
  6. Contribute to effective cross College / University working.
  7. Observe and implement University policies and procedures.

Essential Criteria

Qualifications

  • Good Honours Degree in relevant subject discipline or equivalent
  • Fellowship of the Advanced HE (HEA) or willingness to work towards
  • PhD (or submitted and awaiting examination) in geology, geophysics, or a closely related discipline, or equivalence accepted in a relevant subject area, for example by publication or through appropriate professional achievement or willingness to work towards within an agreed timeframe
  • Subject specific qualifications / knowledge

Experience

Learning / Teaching
  • Demonstrable experience or knowledge of delivering effective learning, teaching and assessment in Higher Education to undergraduate and postgraduate students
Research / Scholarship / Industry Engagement
  • Applied industry experience of static and dynamic modelling of traditional and non-traditional geoenergy pathways
  • Expertise and practical experience in subsurface facies modelling, utilising industry-standard reservoir modelling software
  • Experience and demonstrable knowledge / expertise in research methodologies appropriate to the academic discipline

Skills, knowledge & abilities

  • An appropriate level of digital capability and aptitude with practical experience of applications which will enhance student learning
  • Ability to communicate complex and conceptual ideas to a range of groups
  • Excellent ability to build relationships and collaborate with others, internally and externally
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills including networking and relationship building skills, both across the University and externally
  • Able to demonstrate both independent self-management and team working
  • Able to work with competing priorities and to tight deadlines
  • Demonstrates competences, core behaviours and supplementary behaviours that support and promote the University’s core values
  • Demonstrates professionalism in learning / teaching and the values of the UK Professional Standards Framework for HE
  • A sound understanding of the employability agenda and its relevance to learners and the curriculum
  • Innovative and creative
  • Committed to continual enhancement and a high quality student experience

Business requirements

  • Able to take a flexible approach to work
    • Travel between sites and occasionally overseas for research or teaching
    • Some evening and occasional weekend teaching
    • A commitment to own professional development

Desirable Criteria

Qualifications

  • Appropriate level of membership of a relevant professional body or working towards
  • Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education or equivalent qualification

Experience

  • Proven experience of module and programme leadership
  • Experience of quality assurance and validation of HE modules / programmes
  • Applied experience of GIS and a background including fieldwork
  • Demonstrable experience of effectively designing and implementing a range of formative and summative assessments for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes
  • Experience of supervising undergraduate projects and postgraduate research students, providing training and some teaching as appropriate
Research / Scholarship
  • Track record in gaining support for significant externally funded research and consultancy projects, e.g. with industry, commerce, public bodies
  • A growing international reputation in the academic discipline
  • Evidence of publishing in high quality (“REF able”) journals or other appropriate outputs in research or practice

Skills, knowledge and abilities

  • Developing skills in providing leadership to small research teams
  • A sound knowledge of the current higher education environment and its implications for the student learning experience, including the remit of the Office for Students.
  • A sound knowledge of employability and its relevance to learners and the curriculum
  • Generous annual leave entitlement of 47 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
  • Teacher’s Pension Scheme
  • Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
  • Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
  • Discounted onsite gym
  • Discounted access to Devonshire Spa
  • Cycle to Work scheme
  • A flexible working environment
  • A commitment to personal and professional development

Find out more about rewards and benefitsFind out more about rewards and benefits

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Adrian Watson, Senior Lecturer in Geoscience via a.p.watson@derby.ac.uk or Stephen Lokier, Senior Lecturer in Applied Sedimentology and GeoEnergy via s.lokier@derby.ac.uk

For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk.

Achieve your academic ambitions, apply today at University of Derby.

How to apply

You can apply by submitting an online application. Once you have signed in or registered with us you will be able to begin your application. If you are creating an account for the first time, please ensure you provide an email address that you access regularly as this will be our main means of contacting you regarding your application.

If you require any assistance, including the provision of any documentation in an alternative format, please contact the Recruitment team at recruitment@derby.ac.uk.

Please note all applications must be submitted online by Midnight GMT on the closing date of the vacancy.

Visa Sponsorship Eligibility

This role is eligible for sponsorship by the University, however, your individual circumstances must meet the criteria set out by UKVI; this includes meeting the English Language requirement and earning a salary that meets the highest of either the going rate for the SOC code or the minimum salary threshold for the Skilled Worker route (£38,700 per annum).

If the role is eligible, but the offered salary is less that the going rate for the role, you may still be able to apply for a Skilled Worker visa if:

  • Your job is on the Immigration Salary List

  • You’re under 26, studying or a recent graduate, or in professional training

  • You have a PhD level qualification that’s relevant to your job

  • The role you are applying for is a postdoctoral position

Please note that the University cannot confirm your eligibility for sponsorship until an offer is made and your individual circumstances have been considered.

For more information, visit Applying from Overseas.

Equity, diversity and inclusion

The University of Derby is committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion. However you identify, we actively celebrate the knowledge, experience and talents each person brings. Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds; therefore we are particularly interested to hear from applicants who will help our leaders and teams be more reflective of our student population.

A university that celebrates you

Environmental Sustainability

At the University of Derby, we are passionate about embedding sustainability into everything that we do. We aim to bring environmental sustainability into all aspects of the University, including teaching, research and operational activities. In line with the University's strategic framework, we expect all our staff to embed sustainability into their working practices and support the University's objective to reach net zero carbon by 2040.

Environment and sustainability

 

Further details

Download Lecturer in Earth Sciences job descriptionDownload Lecturer in Earth Sciences job descriptionDownload Senior Lecturer in Earth Sciences job descriptionDownload Senior Lecturer in Earth Sciences job descriptionDownload Academic Pathway InformationDownload Academic Pathway Information

The University of Derby is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our staff, students and children. At the University of Derby, safeguarding is everybody's concern.